Celeste Elena Vaccaro

Celeste Elena Vaccaro, age 90, died Monday, January 8, 2024 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick surrounded by her family.

Born October 4, 1933, in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn NY, daughter of the late Michael and Gulia (Russo) Attanasio. She lived in Brooklyn until 1963 when she was married to John D. Vaccaro and the two moved to Washington Township in Bergen County NJ. They later moved to Mahwah, Basking Ridge and finally in Hillsborough NJ.

Celeste worked for some time as a clerk for Minolta and General Office Equipment, but enjoyed her time raising her five children at home. She was always very active, taking many trips to Atlantic City where she enjoyed one of her favorite pastimes – playing cards. When she wasn’t playing canasta or other card games with her many friends, you might find her knitting or crocheting something for them, or participating in a game of bowling, a game in which she excelled.

Celeste loved a good game of tennis with her husband, John, and attended many of her grandchildren’s sporting events, often ringing her brass cowbell to cheer them on! She loved watching professional football – it didn’t matter the team – if there was a game on, she was watching it.

Celeste was a collector of many precious items like Swarovski Crystals and other ‘tchotchkes’ that were found in her impeccable home. She was an excellent cook – her eggplant parmigiana and rice pudding were always family favorites.

A selfless person and devout Catholic, for many years Celeste would be attending daily Mass at the Church where she was living always praying for the health of others.

In addition to her parents, Celeste was predeceased by two sisters, Marie Spiotta and Anna Massotto. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, John D. Vaccaro of Hillsborough NJ, her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Leslie Vaccaro of Elverson PA, her daughter and son-in-law, Rosanna and Joe Massucci of Calabash NC, her daughter, Julia Vaccaro of Bedminster NJ, her son, John Vaccaro of New York NY, her daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Rich Aronow of Flemington NJ, her six grandchildren, Michael, Thomas, Matthew, Bryan, Samantha, and Arabella, her three great-grandchildren, Cameron, Avery and Jacob, as well as her sister and brother-in-law, Loretta and John Bonkowski of Westwood NJ and her sister, Frances Perlin of Hillsborough NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, January 12, 2024 at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington NJ 08822. Interment will follow in Maryrest Cemetery, 770 Darlington Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430. Calling hour will be on Friday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main St., Flemington NJ 08822.

For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.